Help > Buyers

WELCOME TO RVA AUCTIONS

Before We Begin

Unlike traditional live auctions or eBay online only auctions, RVA brings you a piece of every aspect of the auction buying experience. We are a little bit traditional (with previews and pickups), a little bit eBay (online bidding), and something altogether different (event based, photo catalogs and credit card only payments).

Even if you’re familiar with our auctions, take a look around, you will likely find information about our process, policies or techniques which will help you better navigate the site and have the best bidding experience possible.

Please note: Anytime you see a (+) symbol just click on it to expand the selection for more information. The “helpful links” are really helpful.

Getting Started

We are the Place to get Great Values

Our promise is to offer the stuff you need at the price you set. Thus, buyers get great values at our auctions. To continually provide those great values we have developed buyer rights and responsibilities. Please read carefully through this page for a smooth buying experience. It’s worth it! See you at the auction.

We are Internet-Only

We conduct internet-only sales both large and small, throughout the United States. No bids will be accepted offline.

What is the difference between RVA and traditional auctions?

Traditional auctions are generally conducted on-site and in place at the asset location. Bidders are required to arrive early for an inspection and must remain onsite for the duration of the event while items are sold one at a time. Removal is usually the sale day, the bidder may be required to come back to pick up their items.

Our events begin bidding weeks in advance of the event closing. Most of our auctions feature a preview or open house for inspection one or two days prior to the conclusion of the sale. Bidders can take their time to become familiar with the catalog, bid interactively or use the MaxBid feature which allows the system to bid on your behalf up to your set amount.

With a RVA event, you can participate on your schedule and at your pace from the comfort of your home or office.

Getting Registered

Registration is required to bid on an auction. It also helps us qualify bidders. Read through our buying process before registering.

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How do you qualify bidders?

The registration provides us contact information necessary to qualify you as a bidder.

Why do you qualify bidders?

The registration provides us contact information necessary to qualify you as a bidder.

Is there a fee?

No, there is no fee to register; however, we do authorize your credit/debit card for $100.00 to assure you have a valid credit/debit card. The $100.00 authorization is similar to a hotel authorization. We never actually charge your account, we just check to make sure the money is there. The $100 authorization will expire in a day or so based on your bank’s hold time.

Do I need a credit card?

Yes. Credit cards are required to register. They guarantee payment If you win an item.

What is an authorization?

The $100.00 authorization is similar to a hotel authorization or hold. The authorization expires in a day or so based on your bank’s hold time. Authorizations are made per event. If you bid on seven separate events, not items, in one day your card will be authorized for $700.

I'm having trouble registering

We are here to help. Click here to go to the contact us page to submit your questions. Or click support on the left to use the live chat feature. You can also call us at (804) 898-2448 during the hours of 9am – 5pm EST.

The Buying Process

1. Inspection

Most events feature a preview, inspection or open house one or two days prior to the conclusion of the auction. This is a showcase of the items at their physical location.

Bidders should carefully consider the descriptions, photos, details and terms of sale, then bid accordingly if there is no preview.

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Where do I go?

Refer to the event location listed on the main page. It will also be detailed in the item description if there is an alternate location.

Do I need ID to enter?

Yes, many of our Sellers have assets located in secure, high end office buildings. We often require that bidders sign in with a photo ID.

How many people go?

Approximately, 40% of the bidders attend the preview. It is our feeling that bidders who take the time to attend the preview are better informed, bid accordingly, and get the best deal.

What if I can't make it?

When you are not able to make the preview you should carefully consider the descriptions, photos, details
and terms of sale, then bid accordingly.

2. Bidding

Once you are registered bidding is easy. Visit an online event with an active catalog. Click the link for online bidding.

Place the “Next Bid Required” in the “your bid” box and your ‘Max” bid in the “your maximum” box (max bids are optional) at the bottom of EACH page enter your username and password. Click the submit bid button. You will need to confirm the terms before the bid is accepted.

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I need help submitting my bid

You enter your bids next to the lot and submit bids at the bottom of each page. Enter your bidder number and password, you will be prompted to read and agree to the specific terms for each sale before bids are final.

Still having trouble?

We are here to help. Click here to go to the contact us page to submit your questions. Or click support on the left to use the live chat feature. You can also call us at (804) 898-2448 during the hours of 9am 5pm EST.

Am I bidding on the photo or the description of the item?

Always bid on the item description. Only use the photographs as a guide. For demonstration purposes, equipment may be joined and photographed together. Do not assume a lot consists of more than one item simply because they are connected or pictured together. You are bidding on the item as described in the catalog. For instance, a supply cabinet does not include supplies unless specified. Please take advantage of the onsite inspection and read the descriptions.

Can I bid on multiple items?

The catalog is fully searchable. Please experiment with the category and search boxes to view the groups of items you are interested in. Once the items are presented on the page, you can easily bid on groups of items. You can search by: Keyword or item number (any of the words, all the words, exact phrase, containing). You can search several item numbers or keywords at the same time by placing a space between your search requests.

Is there a minimum bid price?

There is no minimum bid on most items. Occasionally, we will allow a Seller to place a minimum, confirmation, starting or proxy bid on an item. Generally, 99% percent of items start at zero or $1.00 and sell to the highest bidder without regard to price.

How do quantities work?

Explain the closing process.

Items close in online catalog order usually 5 items per minute (staggered closing). (Check specific event terms for details). Catalogs close dynamically and the closing time is automatically extended if a bid is placed within 4 minutes of an items posted closing time. Theoretically, bidding on an item could remain active indefinitely as long as bids continued to be placed within a four minute increment. The system is based on minutes, not seconds.

Do I get notified if I am outbid?

If you have been outbid you will be notified by e-mail until midnight the day of the event. Please note that outbid notices are not sent on the day of the event closing. To quickly review your bids and see if you have won you can utilize the ‘review bids’ feature. Enter your Bidder Number and Password then review bids. Items that they have been outbid on will be clearly marked.

How do I know if an item is closed?

You can quickly review the items that are still open by clicking the link for active items. Please note: Our system is designed to offer the Seller a high degree of flexibility in matching the liquidation schedule to their specific requirements. We reserve the right to change, shorten, suspend or extend the event closing dates/times, inspections or removal dates/times.

How do I know if I won?

Upon completion of an event, we have an automated system that processes your credit card and sends you a paid email invoice to the email address in your bidder profile. Important! If you use multiple email addresses, make note of your registered email address. Only the address provided at registration is sent notifications, alerts and final invoices. If you do not receive your invoice at the close of the sale, be sure to check your junk/spam folder.

What are the bidding terms?

Every event will have slightly different terms and conditions. Please read these carefully before bidding on each event. We have made it easy to double check. During the bidding process you must agree to the terms and conditions.

Are there bidding strategies?

Please take the time to attend the preview. Bidders who fully appreciate the quality and condition of the items get the best deals. We continue to have some of the nicest items to auction, and we want you to get a great value.

Also, we strongly recommend that you consider using the MaxBid feature to give a max price. Often bidders get caught up in the frenzy of the closing process when 315 items are closing simultaneously. This usually results in a loss of a great deal. We hate when that happens!

How do I view all my bids at once?

Go to the online catalog and select Review Bids. Enter your Bidder Number and Password then review bids.

Oops! I submitted an erroneous bid. Now what?

Mistakes happen. After you submit your bids, you are presented with a verification page. Please confirm your bids prior to proceeding. If after the confirmation page you mistakenly increase your own bid, place your bidder number in the bid field, or make a typo, you must immediately notify our customer service team.

All mistakes must be submitted to our team prior to the item closing. We will not reverse bids after the item has closed. There are no exceptions to this policy.

3. Payment

Accepted forms of payment include Visa or MasterCard. You must have available balance on your credit card for your online purchases. At the conclusion of the event your credit card on file will be automatically charged for the entire amount of your purchases.

Please note:A 15% buyer’s premium will be added to each purchase. If you bid $100.00 at check out you will be charged $115.00.

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What is a buyer's premium?

If I do not want the item do I still have to pay?

Yes. Remember, bidding on an item is a contract between you and RVA Auctions. Once you place a bid you have taken the high bid away from someone else. You cannot back out of a bid you placed as it affects every other bidder on an item.

My credit card was charged automatically. Is that normal?

Yes. All credit cards are automatically charged at the close of an event.

Is there sales tax?

Usually. We charge the designated sales tax for based on the location of the items for most events. If the event is taking place in a state or county that does not charge sales tax, we do not charge sales tax. If you are tax exempt, please fill out the form here and submit it for each auction you would like to bid on.

My credit card did not go through. Now what?

At the conclusion of the sale you will be immediately notified by email. Bidders who have two failed attempts to process their charges will have their bidding account suspended. If you account is in default the administrator will have the option of reselling, removing, storing or abandoning, at the expense and risk of the purchase, items not paid for and/or removed within the specific time.The buyer agrees to pay all deficiencies, legal, collection; transportation and storage expenses associated with delinquent accounts or abandoned items.

All merchandise is sold “as is, where is”. There are no warranties expressed or implied and no guarantees. All sales are final. Please inspect items when available and bid accordingly.

4. Removal

All items are required to be picked up at the physical location noted in the event details. We do not offer any type of shipping methods or assistance during removal. Our clients often need their location empty so items not picked up during the removal time will be considered abandoned.

Please note: Buyers must bring all tools, people and equipment to safely remove won items.

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What are examples of tools and equipment?

Moving equipment such as four wheel dollies, hand carts, pads and tools necessary to disassemble and safely move items from the office space to the loading area.

When can I remove my items?

Specific times, dates and locations are detailed in the terms section of each event. Our clients require very specific, narrow time frames for removal. With rare exception, the removal dates and times are fixed. We are unable to provide either early or late pick up.

What if I cannot make it to the removal time or I forgot to pick up my item?

After the scheduled removal, items left on-site will be considered abandoned. Our clients are very concerned that the space be left empty and you will be charged a removal fee for items left onsite. NO refunds or chargebacks will be granted due to a lack of removal at the designated times.

How do I know the location?

Refer the event location listed on the main page. If items are in an alternate pick up location it will be detailed in the item description. Always refer to your emailed receipt for complete removal details.

Will there be someone on site to assist me from the RVA team?

No. Buyers must bring personnel and moving equipment such as dollies, hand carts, pads and tools necessary to disassemble and safely move items from the office space to the loading area. Buyers who are unfamiliar with the requirements of moving or disassembling items should arrange for professional assistance.

Do I have to bring movers?

No, but if you are the winner of large amounts of furniture, items difficult to disassemble, or heavy items please keep in mind that you will need all the tools, people and resources for a safe removal.

Do I need to disassemble items?

Yes. Often people buy large items like cubicles and forget that they are responsible for disassembling them and carrying the pieces out. This is just an example but we strongly encourage the winners of large items or difficult to breakdown or deinstall items to come prepared.

Can I send professional movers?

Yes, remember that your mover will require a copy of your sales receipt. We strongly recommend that you meet your mover at the pickup location to point out your sales items and to assure your mover collects all of your purchases.

What if something breaks during removal?

It is the buyer’s responsibility to remove merchandise purchased without damage to property. Any damage will be corrected to the satisfaction of the property owner by the buyer. Buyers who are unfamiliar with the requirements of moving or disassembling items should arrange for professional assistance.

What if the picture and description do not match?

If the description does not match the photograph, there was an error. You are bidding on the described item not the picture. Please notify our customer service team if you believe an item is incorrectly photographed.

Important: Bidder Responsibility & Termination Policy

With Great Deals Come Responsibilities

We work hard everyday to find more fantastic stuff to offer at auction giving our bidders incredibly unique opportunities for great values. In order to keep those exciting items coming we have to be responsible and respectful to their owners.

This means:

• Picking up items during specified removal times and only during specified removal times

• Bringing all tools, people and resources to safely disassemble and remove items

• Bidding only on those items you are serious about winning

• Following through on auction purchases

• Understanding that your credit card will be charged immediately following the close of an event

Embracing these responsibilities helps us continue to enhance the overall experience for all of our bidders.

Our Bidder Termination Policy

We are so grateful that you choose RVA Auctions to get the stuff you need at the price you set. Out of respect for our sellers and for the vast majority of buyers that take these responsibilities to heart, we will terminate a buyer’s bidding privileges after two infractions.

First Occurrence: If a buyer does not live up to their responsibilities throughout the auction process we will suspend bidding privileges until one of our customer service team members is able to speak with the buyer and resolve the issue.

Final Occurrence: If a buyer does not live up to their responsibilities throughout the auction process a second time we will terminate bidding privileges.

We are passionate about our huge buyer community and remain vigilant to ensure a pleasurable auction experience every time. The greatest cause of confusion and dissatisfaction often occurs when there is not a level playing field for buyers. This termination policy makes everyone equal, every time.

Sellers

Find out more on our sellers page.

Referrals

We are proud to pay up to 20% referral fees. Have a lead?

Our History

In 2008 RVA Auctions of Richmond opened its doors to provide estate liquidation and senior move management solutions. We quickly entered the commercial asset liquidation arena in 2009 and started hosting internet auctions for our residential and commercial clients. We became an auctioneer for the U.S. Bankruptcy court in 2010, liquidating assets such as fine art, vehicles, boats, fine jewelry, household goods, real property and even burial plots. Adding a consignment warehouse in 2011 expanded our ability to serve clients with just one asset, a large collection, or even a whole household to sell. Now, as an Asset Bridge Partner, we continue to offer exceptional service combined with the most innovative online auction platform.